Gloria Oliver's Blog, page 84
May 24, 2013
Movie Review - EPIC
EPIC
Starring: Colin Farrell, Josh Hutcherson, Amanda Seyfried, Christoph Waltz, Beyoncé Knowles, Blake Anderson, Aziz Ansari, Chris O'Dowd, Steven Tyler, Jason Sudeikis, and more.
Directed by: Chris Wedge Story by: William Joyce, James V Hart, and Chris Wedge Screenplay by: James V Hart, William Joyce, Daniel Shere, Tom J Astle, Matt Ember Based on the book "The Leaf Men and The Brave Good Bugs" by: William Joyce Cinematography by: Renato Falcão Music by: Danny Elfman
Premise: Moving to her father's house after her mother's death, Mary Katherine is disappointed to see he's still up to the same strange research that led her mother to leave him years before. Her father believes there's an advanced civilization of diminutive people living in the forest. So when it looks like the solstice, combined with a full moon, has her father running about even more than usual, MK decides the new arrangement isn't going to work after all. But when the three legged, one eyed pug, Ozzie runs off into the forest, MK goes after him, and stumbles into the middle of a battle of good versus evil. (Rated PG)
Review:
1) Voice Acting - Thumbs Up: I've always enjoyed the work of Colin Farrell and Josh Hutcherson and their voice acting on this film was well done. Amanda Seyfried gave a great performance as the grieved and troubled MK. Christoph Waltz looked to have had some fun as Mandrake. Beyoncé Knowles came across as a great and wise queen. The comedy tag team of Aziz Ansari and Chris O'Dowd definitely did a lot to amuse. Though some of the different accents thrown in at different places and not always consistently so did jar a little in places.
Of course one of the most fun characters in the film had no voice at all - Ozzie - the three legged, one eyed, old pug.
2) Artwork/Animation - Total Thumbs Up: Blue Sky Studios did an awesome job with the look of the film. From the gorgeous hummingbirds to the wilting of plants, the detail was astounding. Seeing the leafs and plants used as clothes, flying boats, and moving doors made the world of the forest really come alive with wonder. The scenes of Queen Tara arriving at the small lake in her flying ship and then stepping on the lily pads were gorgeous.
Inversely, watching the rot arrows deform the tree limbs, wilt leaves, and other destruction were also quite impressive. Mandrake's home was the essence of decay.
3) Plot/Story - Thumbs Up: Overall the plot of the film worked, but wasn't necessarily outstanding. There were a few small surprises, though not many. We barely got a glimpse into the culture of the Leaf Men and those they protect, or even the structure of life in the forest, which would have given the plot more depth and context. The whole side business of betting and fixed bird races didn't mesh well with what little the audience was shown of the culture. Even the problems with Nod seemed forced and without any real substance. Late in the film, we find where Nod lost his father, it made no sense why Ronin and Nod's dad would have been there in the first place and it was never discussed. (If anything, it lent a dark undertone to what the two might have been up to at the time.)
I found the use of Ronin's name rather odd. Since the Leaf Men obviously followed many oriental ideals in the way they fought and lived, the fact they would give their commander a name meaning 'masterless samurai' seemed strange. Though with what happens to the queen, perhaps it was apt.
Another odd point was a thread pursued in three different prongs - the act of loving someone yet there being obstacles keeping you apart and no solution ever becoming apparent - the queen and Ronin, Grub and MK, MK and Nod. It's rather a depressing theme and seemed out of place in what was advertised as a combination action and comedy animated film.
Conclusion: EPIC wasn't so epic. And its name if one of the worst for a film ever. The animation is totally well worth watching. The film definitely had its moments, but it won't have you running off to tell all your friends about it. With all the birds, Grub and Mud, and Ozzie, there might be enough there to entertain the younger kids.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 (Hubby's Rating: Better For Matinee)
Starring: Colin Farrell, Josh Hutcherson, Amanda Seyfried, Christoph Waltz, Beyoncé Knowles, Blake Anderson, Aziz Ansari, Chris O'Dowd, Steven Tyler, Jason Sudeikis, and more.
Directed by: Chris Wedge Story by: William Joyce, James V Hart, and Chris Wedge Screenplay by: James V Hart, William Joyce, Daniel Shere, Tom J Astle, Matt Ember Based on the book "The Leaf Men and The Brave Good Bugs" by: William Joyce Cinematography by: Renato Falcão Music by: Danny Elfman
Premise: Moving to her father's house after her mother's death, Mary Katherine is disappointed to see he's still up to the same strange research that led her mother to leave him years before. Her father believes there's an advanced civilization of diminutive people living in the forest. So when it looks like the solstice, combined with a full moon, has her father running about even more than usual, MK decides the new arrangement isn't going to work after all. But when the three legged, one eyed pug, Ozzie runs off into the forest, MK goes after him, and stumbles into the middle of a battle of good versus evil. (Rated PG)
Review:
1) Voice Acting - Thumbs Up: I've always enjoyed the work of Colin Farrell and Josh Hutcherson and their voice acting on this film was well done. Amanda Seyfried gave a great performance as the grieved and troubled MK. Christoph Waltz looked to have had some fun as Mandrake. Beyoncé Knowles came across as a great and wise queen. The comedy tag team of Aziz Ansari and Chris O'Dowd definitely did a lot to amuse. Though some of the different accents thrown in at different places and not always consistently so did jar a little in places.
Of course one of the most fun characters in the film had no voice at all - Ozzie - the three legged, one eyed, old pug.
2) Artwork/Animation - Total Thumbs Up: Blue Sky Studios did an awesome job with the look of the film. From the gorgeous hummingbirds to the wilting of plants, the detail was astounding. Seeing the leafs and plants used as clothes, flying boats, and moving doors made the world of the forest really come alive with wonder. The scenes of Queen Tara arriving at the small lake in her flying ship and then stepping on the lily pads were gorgeous.
Inversely, watching the rot arrows deform the tree limbs, wilt leaves, and other destruction were also quite impressive. Mandrake's home was the essence of decay.
3) Plot/Story - Thumbs Up: Overall the plot of the film worked, but wasn't necessarily outstanding. There were a few small surprises, though not many. We barely got a glimpse into the culture of the Leaf Men and those they protect, or even the structure of life in the forest, which would have given the plot more depth and context. The whole side business of betting and fixed bird races didn't mesh well with what little the audience was shown of the culture. Even the problems with Nod seemed forced and without any real substance. Late in the film, we find where Nod lost his father, it made no sense why Ronin and Nod's dad would have been there in the first place and it was never discussed. (If anything, it lent a dark undertone to what the two might have been up to at the time.)
I found the use of Ronin's name rather odd. Since the Leaf Men obviously followed many oriental ideals in the way they fought and lived, the fact they would give their commander a name meaning 'masterless samurai' seemed strange. Though with what happens to the queen, perhaps it was apt.
Another odd point was a thread pursued in three different prongs - the act of loving someone yet there being obstacles keeping you apart and no solution ever becoming apparent - the queen and Ronin, Grub and MK, MK and Nod. It's rather a depressing theme and seemed out of place in what was advertised as a combination action and comedy animated film.
Conclusion: EPIC wasn't so epic. And its name if one of the worst for a film ever. The animation is totally well worth watching. The film definitely had its moments, but it won't have you running off to tell all your friends about it. With all the birds, Grub and Mud, and Ozzie, there might be enough there to entertain the younger kids.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 (Hubby's Rating: Better For Matinee)
May 22, 2013
Picture Kaleidoscope 5/22/13 - Dallas Comic Con 2013 and more
This past weekend was the Dallas Comic Con!
I had 3 close encounters with STNG peeps, but never had the camera when I did. o.O (Levar Burton, Brent Spiner, and Gates McFadden! Woot!)
Anyway, I did get a few shots, though there seemed to be less costumes than last year for some reason.
Inspector Gadget, Penny, and Brain. Couldn't get a better pic which is sad because they'd really gone all out on the costumes! Brain even had the little microphone and speaker inputs. Totally aodrable!
The sky was on FIRE on our way home the first night. It was awesome!
Fire! Fire! Fire!
Sideways back shot. We were trying to see if different angles showed the burning better.
Our neighbor and entertainment was Taylor Lymbery - and this is one of his custom toys!
A great costume of the psychic cop in Judge Dredd
Love how her Star Wars tentacle hair came out! Nice!
Some cool puzzles my daughter found. Came out upside down for some reason. Hmmm
Bane and Bane vs Batman. Noooo!
Darth Maul and all his gory darkness.
Hawkeye - how he really looks! heh heh. I love how the baby is totally watching him.
Coolest Borg Queen Ever!
Flying Monkeys!
Not quite lifesize but still way cool Stargate!
More of Taylor's cool toys!
Last time we were together we started out with Queen Amidalek. This time we got Wonder Dalek! What will we have Taylor mutate next time? Bwahahahahaha!
Crappy pic but awesome costumes!
This was so cute!
The Riddler ala Steampunk!
Some yummy sugar cookies given for charitable donations.
And such was this years Dallas Comic Con madness!
I had 3 close encounters with STNG peeps, but never had the camera when I did. o.O (Levar Burton, Brent Spiner, and Gates McFadden! Woot!)
Anyway, I did get a few shots, though there seemed to be less costumes than last year for some reason.
Inspector Gadget, Penny, and Brain. Couldn't get a better pic which is sad because they'd really gone all out on the costumes! Brain even had the little microphone and speaker inputs. Totally aodrable!
The sky was on FIRE on our way home the first night. It was awesome!
Fire! Fire! Fire!
Sideways back shot. We were trying to see if different angles showed the burning better.
Our neighbor and entertainment was Taylor Lymbery - and this is one of his custom toys!
A great costume of the psychic cop in Judge Dredd
Love how her Star Wars tentacle hair came out! Nice!
Some cool puzzles my daughter found. Came out upside down for some reason. Hmmm
Bane and Bane vs Batman. Noooo!
Darth Maul and all his gory darkness.
Hawkeye - how he really looks! heh heh. I love how the baby is totally watching him.
Coolest Borg Queen Ever!
Flying Monkeys!
Not quite lifesize but still way cool Stargate!
More of Taylor's cool toys!
Last time we were together we started out with Queen Amidalek. This time we got Wonder Dalek! What will we have Taylor mutate next time? Bwahahahahaha!
Crappy pic but awesome costumes!
This was so cute!
The Riddler ala Steampunk!
Some yummy sugar cookies given for charitable donations.
And such was this years Dallas Comic Con madness!
May 20, 2013
Mind Sieve 5/20/13
Greetings!
Spent the past weekend at Dallas Comic Con so this may be a shorter post than usual. But we'll see!
The Tea Chronicles Trailer - I really do hope he did make a short film on this because we NEED psychological thrillers about tea! Yeah!
Riddick Official Trailer #1 - Oh yeah. Playing in the dark again. Heh heh.
About Time Official Trailer - This looks adorable! Romantic Time Travel Comedy! I am in! :)
As I Lay Dying Official Trailer - not too sure about this one, but it has a lots of actors I recognized.
Pacific Rim Official Main Trailer - pieces of old and new bits! This should be fun!
Once Upon A Time In Wonderland - new show in the fall. Looks fun!
Marvel's Agents from SHIELD trailer - ABC is cooking up all sorts of treats! Sweet!
Dracula Official Trailer NBC - Oh! Oooooh! This looks delicious!
12 Ways To Delight Your Social Media Community and Audiences from Pam Moore.
How Not To Market Or Promote Your Shit from Chuck (NSFW) Wendig.
Want to Write Stronger Characters? from Anita Mumm
Top 10 Questions from New Writers by Anne R Allen.
Spent the past weekend at Dallas Comic Con so this may be a shorter post than usual. But we'll see!
The Tea Chronicles Trailer - I really do hope he did make a short film on this because we NEED psychological thrillers about tea! Yeah!
Riddick Official Trailer #1 - Oh yeah. Playing in the dark again. Heh heh.
About Time Official Trailer - This looks adorable! Romantic Time Travel Comedy! I am in! :)
As I Lay Dying Official Trailer - not too sure about this one, but it has a lots of actors I recognized.
Pacific Rim Official Main Trailer - pieces of old and new bits! This should be fun!
Once Upon A Time In Wonderland - new show in the fall. Looks fun!
Marvel's Agents from SHIELD trailer - ABC is cooking up all sorts of treats! Sweet!
Dracula Official Trailer NBC - Oh! Oooooh! This looks delicious!
12 Ways To Delight Your Social Media Community and Audiences from Pam Moore.
How Not To Market Or Promote Your Shit from Chuck (NSFW) Wendig.
Want to Write Stronger Characters? from Anita Mumm
Top 10 Questions from New Writers by Anne R Allen.
May 19, 2013
Virtual Tourist - Neverwinter 5/19/13
Morning!
Neverwinter
It's a howling moon...
The goo has stripped the flesh of the guy stuck in it. Ick.
Bad doings in the darkness.
Sewers
Cool gate for a sewer
That's more like it.
Mouse dudes.
Fire! Time to get out!
No really - FIRE!
Ah the soothing fresh air of evening.
Big trouble maker.
Floating castle in the distance. Howl's here? :P
Zombie Sunday is about to begin at Dallas Comic Con. Heh heh heh.
Neverwinter
It's a howling moon...
The goo has stripped the flesh of the guy stuck in it. Ick.
Bad doings in the darkness.
Sewers
Cool gate for a sewer
That's more like it.
Mouse dudes.
Fire! Time to get out!
No really - FIRE!
Ah the soothing fresh air of evening.
Big trouble maker.
Floating castle in the distance. Howl's here? :P
Zombie Sunday is about to begin at Dallas Comic Con. Heh heh heh.
May 17, 2013
Movie Review - Star Trek Into Darkness
(I have Dallas Comic Con this weekend. So we went to the movies last night! Yay)
Star Trek Into Darkness
Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg, John Cho, Anton Yelchin, Benedict Cumberbatch, Bruce Greenwood, Peter Weller, Alice Eve, Leonard Nimoy, and more.
Directed by: J J Abrams Written by: Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman, and Damon Lindelof Based on the TV series "Star Trek" by: Gene Roddenberry Cinematography by: Daniel Mindel Original Music by: Michael Giacchino
Premise: An act of terrorism followed by an unexpected attack on Star Fleet Headquarters sets James T Kirk on a path to hunt down the man responsible. Armed with new top secret, untrackable torpedoes, he's to follow John Harrison into Klingon space and destroy him before the Klingons discover them and drag the Federation into a full interstellar war. (Rated PG-13)
Review:
1) Acting - Thumbs Up: I believe this is probably one of Chris Pine's best performances. The great chemistry between the characters comprising the core of the crew is definitely there and a lot of funny moments come from Zoe Saldana's and Zachary Quinto's interactions. While Karl Urban was one hundred percent Dr. McCoy and funny as always, it was Simon Pegg who pulled off the most comedic bits this time around. The only real disappointment in the acting area was the lack of use by the scriptwriters of Benedict Cumberbatch's awesome range. (If you've not seen the fabulous series "Sherlock" with Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, go do it now!) Peter Weller also did great, but lacked support in the script for his motivation.
2) Special Effects - Total Thumbs Up: From the belly of a volcano to the crashing of spaceships, all the special effects work was 'top notch'. I especially liked the work on the mini-story at the beginning of the film - it truly felt like an alien world. The Klingon Birds of Prey actually flew like a bird when in atmosphere, which I found fascinating. This made the appearance of the dreadnaught and its almost 'cookie cutter' appearance to other Federation ships, despite its being a totally different class, rather odd.
There was also something they did that I couldn't figure out if it was on purpose, mostly because it wasn't consistent. John Harrison looked bigger than a standard human during the brig sequences and a couple of other places, but when standing next to Kirk or other characters, he was normal sized. Totally odd.
Lots of new aliens show up in this film. All humanoid, but definitely interesting. Watch for them in the background and not just inside the ships.
3) Plot/Story - Neutral: There was some great stuff, there was some awful stuff.
For some of the bad - the science got in the way, so it was pitched out the window. Even traveling at maximum warp, it takes more than five minutes to reach the Klingon Empire, let alone their main planet of Cronos. The same applies for the trip back.
Transporter beams cannot beam you onto something that's moving. Since regeneration of the person on the other end is not instantaneous, it wouldn't move with the object being beamed onto. Also if the person you're trying to transport tries to run for it, the beam would not be able to keep a lock as it does not move.
Earth does have stations and other ships in orbit. They also have sensors. (This will make sense when you see it in context.) (There's more, but I will restrain myself.)
Another major issue was the motivation for one of the characters (not John Harrison). The total turn around of said character had nothing to substantiate it whatsoever. Not to the extreme used - it just wasn't believable. And with such a flaw, it took away from pretty much everything else that happened after, at least to me.
On the good side - lots and lots of in-jokes and acts of homage for the second of the original Star Trek movies. They even took several familiar scenes and twisted them for the new timeline. (Some worked really well, others not as much.) They also snuck in a "Damn it, Jim, I'm a doctor not a 'insert occupation here'!" which made my hubby very, very happy. A lot of the little moments were a lot of fun. Watching Spock being befuddled by the actions of those around him and vice versa, never gets old.
There were actually a few unexpected twists and surprises. One I'd told hubby my suspicions on six months or more ago after seeing the first trailers, so it made me giggle when he looked over at me in surprise when my guess did come to pass. Loved that Uhura got more screen time and was pivotal more than once. You go, girl!
I still want to know why the heck McCoy had a dead Tribble sitting around in sickbay.
4) Stunts - Total Thumbs Up: The hand-to-hand fight on Chronos was great! Wonderful intro for the Klingon race into the new universe.
5) Locations/Cinematography - Total Thumbs Up: From the futuristic city of London to the ruins on Cronos, everything looked pretty amazing. The cloud field shot when Enterprise goes back to Earth was lovely.
Strangely, the only place that seemed not to fit was the Enterprise's engine room. The style and how it was set up clashed with the look of every other section in the ship. Very odd.
6) Costuming/Makeup - Thumbs Up: Overall the costuming and makeup departments did a marvelous job, especially with the new aliens, and giving Klingons a new yet old look. No green tinting at all on Spock's skin, making him less Vulcan, though Kirk got plenty of it in a scene towards the end.
The uniforms on ship were reminiscent of the original TV series uniforms, and they even had a few 'red shirt' jokes, but they clashed with the new gray and black uniforms worn Earthside. For Starfleet and the Federation being dedicated to peace, the hats and dark clothes gave the opposite impression and made Starfleet members look very militant. Seemed very out of place.
Conclusion: A fun thrill ride as long as you turn your brain off and not look at anything too closely. Lots of jokes and homage to the original series and movies, so in that respect, it was a lot of fun. The very end before the credits will make many very nostalgic.
Rating: 3.75 out of 5 (Hubby's Rating: Worth Paying Full Price To See Again!)
Star Trek Into Darkness
Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg, John Cho, Anton Yelchin, Benedict Cumberbatch, Bruce Greenwood, Peter Weller, Alice Eve, Leonard Nimoy, and more.
Directed by: J J Abrams Written by: Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman, and Damon Lindelof Based on the TV series "Star Trek" by: Gene Roddenberry Cinematography by: Daniel Mindel Original Music by: Michael Giacchino
Premise: An act of terrorism followed by an unexpected attack on Star Fleet Headquarters sets James T Kirk on a path to hunt down the man responsible. Armed with new top secret, untrackable torpedoes, he's to follow John Harrison into Klingon space and destroy him before the Klingons discover them and drag the Federation into a full interstellar war. (Rated PG-13)
Review:
1) Acting - Thumbs Up: I believe this is probably one of Chris Pine's best performances. The great chemistry between the characters comprising the core of the crew is definitely there and a lot of funny moments come from Zoe Saldana's and Zachary Quinto's interactions. While Karl Urban was one hundred percent Dr. McCoy and funny as always, it was Simon Pegg who pulled off the most comedic bits this time around. The only real disappointment in the acting area was the lack of use by the scriptwriters of Benedict Cumberbatch's awesome range. (If you've not seen the fabulous series "Sherlock" with Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, go do it now!) Peter Weller also did great, but lacked support in the script for his motivation.
2) Special Effects - Total Thumbs Up: From the belly of a volcano to the crashing of spaceships, all the special effects work was 'top notch'. I especially liked the work on the mini-story at the beginning of the film - it truly felt like an alien world. The Klingon Birds of Prey actually flew like a bird when in atmosphere, which I found fascinating. This made the appearance of the dreadnaught and its almost 'cookie cutter' appearance to other Federation ships, despite its being a totally different class, rather odd.
There was also something they did that I couldn't figure out if it was on purpose, mostly because it wasn't consistent. John Harrison looked bigger than a standard human during the brig sequences and a couple of other places, but when standing next to Kirk or other characters, he was normal sized. Totally odd.
Lots of new aliens show up in this film. All humanoid, but definitely interesting. Watch for them in the background and not just inside the ships.
3) Plot/Story - Neutral: There was some great stuff, there was some awful stuff.
For some of the bad - the science got in the way, so it was pitched out the window. Even traveling at maximum warp, it takes more than five minutes to reach the Klingon Empire, let alone their main planet of Cronos. The same applies for the trip back.
Transporter beams cannot beam you onto something that's moving. Since regeneration of the person on the other end is not instantaneous, it wouldn't move with the object being beamed onto. Also if the person you're trying to transport tries to run for it, the beam would not be able to keep a lock as it does not move.
Earth does have stations and other ships in orbit. They also have sensors. (This will make sense when you see it in context.) (There's more, but I will restrain myself.)
Another major issue was the motivation for one of the characters (not John Harrison). The total turn around of said character had nothing to substantiate it whatsoever. Not to the extreme used - it just wasn't believable. And with such a flaw, it took away from pretty much everything else that happened after, at least to me.
On the good side - lots and lots of in-jokes and acts of homage for the second of the original Star Trek movies. They even took several familiar scenes and twisted them for the new timeline. (Some worked really well, others not as much.) They also snuck in a "Damn it, Jim, I'm a doctor not a 'insert occupation here'!" which made my hubby very, very happy. A lot of the little moments were a lot of fun. Watching Spock being befuddled by the actions of those around him and vice versa, never gets old.
There were actually a few unexpected twists and surprises. One I'd told hubby my suspicions on six months or more ago after seeing the first trailers, so it made me giggle when he looked over at me in surprise when my guess did come to pass. Loved that Uhura got more screen time and was pivotal more than once. You go, girl!
I still want to know why the heck McCoy had a dead Tribble sitting around in sickbay.
4) Stunts - Total Thumbs Up: The hand-to-hand fight on Chronos was great! Wonderful intro for the Klingon race into the new universe.
5) Locations/Cinematography - Total Thumbs Up: From the futuristic city of London to the ruins on Cronos, everything looked pretty amazing. The cloud field shot when Enterprise goes back to Earth was lovely.
Strangely, the only place that seemed not to fit was the Enterprise's engine room. The style and how it was set up clashed with the look of every other section in the ship. Very odd.
6) Costuming/Makeup - Thumbs Up: Overall the costuming and makeup departments did a marvelous job, especially with the new aliens, and giving Klingons a new yet old look. No green tinting at all on Spock's skin, making him less Vulcan, though Kirk got plenty of it in a scene towards the end.
The uniforms on ship were reminiscent of the original TV series uniforms, and they even had a few 'red shirt' jokes, but they clashed with the new gray and black uniforms worn Earthside. For Starfleet and the Federation being dedicated to peace, the hats and dark clothes gave the opposite impression and made Starfleet members look very militant. Seemed very out of place.
Conclusion: A fun thrill ride as long as you turn your brain off and not look at anything too closely. Lots of jokes and homage to the original series and movies, so in that respect, it was a lot of fun. The very end before the credits will make many very nostalgic.
Rating: 3.75 out of 5 (Hubby's Rating: Worth Paying Full Price To See Again!)
May 15, 2013
Picture Kaleidoscope 5/15/13
Morning all!
I actually have a whole 2 pics I took to share today! *shock* :P
I glanced out my side mirror and thought - that would make a cool pic~! Unfortunately, being the driver in a high traffic area, I didn't get to do much but hurry and click. lol.
Larger than life Snail for Turbo! What a cute idea!
Burning Storm by Matthieu Parmentier at Earthshots.org. The sky really does look like it's on fire, doesn't it? Nice!
Some definite gorgeous stuff at his site too! Go Matthieu! These two are almost like a Ying and Yang, no?
Fox Glacier by Alexander Riek at Earthshots.org. So very impressive! More cool stuff to look at at his site too. :)
Library of Congress Digitizes Archive of Early 20th Century Panoramic Postcards from PetaPixel. Ooo great for research purposes for books.
Harm Less: A Photo Series of Firearms Made Entirely Out of Plants from PetaPixel. Photography by Sonia Rentsch. What a funky idea!
Sonia Rentsch has more funky stuff at her site. Love this one! Made totally out of foods. Too cute!
Have an awesome Wednesday!
I actually have a whole 2 pics I took to share today! *shock* :P
I glanced out my side mirror and thought - that would make a cool pic~! Unfortunately, being the driver in a high traffic area, I didn't get to do much but hurry and click. lol.
Larger than life Snail for Turbo! What a cute idea!
Burning Storm by Matthieu Parmentier at Earthshots.org. The sky really does look like it's on fire, doesn't it? Nice!
Some definite gorgeous stuff at his site too! Go Matthieu! These two are almost like a Ying and Yang, no?
Fox Glacier by Alexander Riek at Earthshots.org. So very impressive! More cool stuff to look at at his site too. :)
Library of Congress Digitizes Archive of Early 20th Century Panoramic Postcards from PetaPixel. Ooo great for research purposes for books.
Harm Less: A Photo Series of Firearms Made Entirely Out of Plants from PetaPixel. Photography by Sonia Rentsch. What a funky idea!
Sonia Rentsch has more funky stuff at her site. Love this one! Made totally out of foods. Too cute!
Have an awesome Wednesday!
May 13, 2013
Mind Sieve 5/13/13
Welcome!
Ender's Game Official Trailer - oh yeah! And Harrison Ford!!!!
Under The Dome Trailer - 13 episodes it looks like. Loved the book - should be fun!
The World's End International Teaser Trailer - this looks like a ton of fun! Heh.
Leonard Nimoy and Zachary Quinto in "The Challenge" - (Spock vs. Spock) watch all the way through, I was rolling on the floor. ROFL! It's too darn funny. (Found this thanks to Tor.com)
Carrie Trailer - Like the Titanic, you know the ending, so you can't look away. Heh heh.
Spiders 3D - Eek!
EPIC Trailer 2 - hadn't seen this particular trailer. Looking forward to the movie!
Gravity Trailer - Sssssppppaaaaacccceeeee!
How To Attract Readers By Creating A 'Lighthouse' Author Brand by Johnathan Gunson. Great article and tips!
46 Top Websites To Promote Your Books For Free at the Savvy Writer's Blog.
A TON of writing resource links for the week at Gene Lempp's Blog - Writing Resources 5/4/13.
Hmm I think that's it for me this time around. Have a fabulous week!
Ender's Game Official Trailer - oh yeah! And Harrison Ford!!!!
Under The Dome Trailer - 13 episodes it looks like. Loved the book - should be fun!
The World's End International Teaser Trailer - this looks like a ton of fun! Heh.
Leonard Nimoy and Zachary Quinto in "The Challenge" - (Spock vs. Spock) watch all the way through, I was rolling on the floor. ROFL! It's too darn funny. (Found this thanks to Tor.com)
Carrie Trailer - Like the Titanic, you know the ending, so you can't look away. Heh heh.
Spiders 3D - Eek!
EPIC Trailer 2 - hadn't seen this particular trailer. Looking forward to the movie!
Gravity Trailer - Sssssppppaaaaacccceeeee!
How To Attract Readers By Creating A 'Lighthouse' Author Brand by Johnathan Gunson. Great article and tips!
46 Top Websites To Promote Your Books For Free at the Savvy Writer's Blog.
A TON of writing resource links for the week at Gene Lempp's Blog - Writing Resources 5/4/13.
Hmm I think that's it for me this time around. Have a fabulous week!
May 12, 2013
Virtual Tourist - Dishonored and Star Wars The Old Republic 5/12/13
Happy Mother's Day!
Dishonored
Lady Boyle's Costume Party
The Fly here loves the treasonous Lady Boyle and is willing to help out by taking her away if I can get her down to him unconscious. This was giving me fits (tons of guards at the party) until I gave up and went and talked to her...then she took herself down to the basement where I could knock her out in private! Hah!
Upstairs in the forbidden areas of the mansion. Some lovely wallwork.
And up here, I could get an even better look at the stained glass ceiling of the house. Gorgeous!
If you click to see the larger version of this one, you can just make out a few gold flecks falling downwards and reflecting the light. Looked really pretty in game while moving. Fabulous little detail.
Star Wars The Old Republic
Jedi Consular
Corellia
Fountains! I don't think we'd seen the like before. Worked very well.
And another in an Imperial occupied zone!
Oh John's smuggler quest we'd taken a shuttle to a ship that ended up self destructing. This is the escape pod and all the lovely damage it made to get us back to the planet.
Ah! Fresh air once more! (cough cough cough) :P
May your Sunday be blessed with calm and happiness. Till next time!
Dishonored
Lady Boyle's Costume Party
The Fly here loves the treasonous Lady Boyle and is willing to help out by taking her away if I can get her down to him unconscious. This was giving me fits (tons of guards at the party) until I gave up and went and talked to her...then she took herself down to the basement where I could knock her out in private! Hah!
Upstairs in the forbidden areas of the mansion. Some lovely wallwork.
And up here, I could get an even better look at the stained glass ceiling of the house. Gorgeous!
If you click to see the larger version of this one, you can just make out a few gold flecks falling downwards and reflecting the light. Looked really pretty in game while moving. Fabulous little detail.
Star Wars The Old Republic
Jedi Consular
Corellia
Fountains! I don't think we'd seen the like before. Worked very well.
And another in an Imperial occupied zone!
Oh John's smuggler quest we'd taken a shuttle to a ship that ended up self destructing. This is the escape pod and all the lovely damage it made to get us back to the planet.
Ah! Fresh air once more! (cough cough cough) :P
May your Sunday be blessed with calm and happiness. Till next time!
May 10, 2013
Movie Review - The Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsby
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Joel Edgerton, Carey Mulligan, Elizabeth Debicki, Isla Fisher, Amitah Bachchan, Jason Clarke, Max Cullen, and many, many more.
Directed by: Baz Luhrmann Screenplay by: Baz Luhrmann and Craig Pierce Based on the Novel by: F Scott Fitzgerald Cinematography by: Simon Duggan Original Music by: Craig Armstrong
Premise: Nick Carraway has big plans for his future. He moves to New York after college to study and enter the world of stocks and bonds. Renting an old gardeners cottage nestled between the homes of the 20's new rich, he gets drawn into the secrets and games played by those new and old to power and money. (Rated PG-13)
Review:
1) Acting - Total Thumbs Up: Everyone's talents shine as brightly as all the amazing decorations at Gatsby's parties. Maguire is a delight as the naive, later turned bitter, Nick Carraway. DeCaprio pulled off being rich and sophisticated easily, but what will win audiences over is his little boy eagerness and embarrassment before and during the contrived tea party. Too funny!
2) Special Effects - Total Thumbs Up: While one might not expect this to be the type of film to special effects, it actually had a lot. The bay, the green warning light, the three different sections of New York were all created or much enhanced through CGI work. There's also a fireworks sequence to Gershwin that was fabulous.
The film starts in black and white and an old Warner Brother's logo, mimicking the reel films of old. Then it blooms to color during the beginning music, and fades away in the same manner at the end of the credits. A nice bit of homage to Warner Brothers and all the previous novel to film incarnations of "The Great Gatsby" over the years.
3) Plot/Story - Total Thumbs Up: I read "The Great Gatsby" back in highschool, so it's been quite a while, therefore I can't make any comparisons in that respect. I might have also watched the 1974 version with Robert Redford, but again, don't remember enough to compare with the new version.
The way the film unfolds, the audience is drawn along with Nick by the experiences and people he meets in during that strange summer. As things unfold, tidbits get sprinkled here and there and we follow the trail as the slowly unfolding mystery of Gatsby is revealed.
Though not obvious, a lot of themes and symbolism are sprinkled throughout the film giving the audience subconscious clues of the secrets and darkness lying below the surface. Though the first time you hear about "God's Eyes" you might dismiss it, by the end of the film you'll be thinking of them the same way.
4) Stunts - Total Thumbs Up: There aren't many 'gags', but the ones they have are very well done. The speeding trips to town were especially fascinating, the cars and riders and those they avoided colliding with, shown from different angles and directions.
5) Locations/Cinematography - Total Thumbs Up: The tiny cottage next to the giant Gatsby castle, the old blue blood mansion across the waterway - each place was unique and almost seemed to have a life of its own. With the CGI augmented visuals, some truly quirky but effective filming tricks get pulled along the way, giving the film a very unique feel.
Gatsby's grounds and the rooms indoors are opulent and almost fairytale like. The 'fantasies' in Gatsby's mind brought to reality, yet still retaining a feeling of it being 'not quite real' at the same time. Great ambiance throughout.
6) Costuming/Makeup - Total Thumbs Up: Between all the parties at Gatsby's, the more laid back affairs at the Buchanan mansion, and the middle of the road places, each had their own look and feel. The dresses and makeup for the people at Gatsby's weekend parties were amazing, though also easily missed when trying to absorb in the 'over the top' grandeur. Myrtle's dress spoke volumes in her introduction, clueing the audience as to who she was before she ever spoke a word.
Conclusion: "The Great Gatsby" is a grand spectacle of sight and sound. A lot of symbolism and minor themes are woven around a good and solid plot. A poignant peek into the life and attitudes of the 20's.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (Hubby's Rating: Worth Full Price of Admission)
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Joel Edgerton, Carey Mulligan, Elizabeth Debicki, Isla Fisher, Amitah Bachchan, Jason Clarke, Max Cullen, and many, many more.
Directed by: Baz Luhrmann Screenplay by: Baz Luhrmann and Craig Pierce Based on the Novel by: F Scott Fitzgerald Cinematography by: Simon Duggan Original Music by: Craig Armstrong
Premise: Nick Carraway has big plans for his future. He moves to New York after college to study and enter the world of stocks and bonds. Renting an old gardeners cottage nestled between the homes of the 20's new rich, he gets drawn into the secrets and games played by those new and old to power and money. (Rated PG-13)
Review:
1) Acting - Total Thumbs Up: Everyone's talents shine as brightly as all the amazing decorations at Gatsby's parties. Maguire is a delight as the naive, later turned bitter, Nick Carraway. DeCaprio pulled off being rich and sophisticated easily, but what will win audiences over is his little boy eagerness and embarrassment before and during the contrived tea party. Too funny!
2) Special Effects - Total Thumbs Up: While one might not expect this to be the type of film to special effects, it actually had a lot. The bay, the green warning light, the three different sections of New York were all created or much enhanced through CGI work. There's also a fireworks sequence to Gershwin that was fabulous.
The film starts in black and white and an old Warner Brother's logo, mimicking the reel films of old. Then it blooms to color during the beginning music, and fades away in the same manner at the end of the credits. A nice bit of homage to Warner Brothers and all the previous novel to film incarnations of "The Great Gatsby" over the years.
3) Plot/Story - Total Thumbs Up: I read "The Great Gatsby" back in highschool, so it's been quite a while, therefore I can't make any comparisons in that respect. I might have also watched the 1974 version with Robert Redford, but again, don't remember enough to compare with the new version.
The way the film unfolds, the audience is drawn along with Nick by the experiences and people he meets in during that strange summer. As things unfold, tidbits get sprinkled here and there and we follow the trail as the slowly unfolding mystery of Gatsby is revealed.
Though not obvious, a lot of themes and symbolism are sprinkled throughout the film giving the audience subconscious clues of the secrets and darkness lying below the surface. Though the first time you hear about "God's Eyes" you might dismiss it, by the end of the film you'll be thinking of them the same way.
4) Stunts - Total Thumbs Up: There aren't many 'gags', but the ones they have are very well done. The speeding trips to town were especially fascinating, the cars and riders and those they avoided colliding with, shown from different angles and directions.
5) Locations/Cinematography - Total Thumbs Up: The tiny cottage next to the giant Gatsby castle, the old blue blood mansion across the waterway - each place was unique and almost seemed to have a life of its own. With the CGI augmented visuals, some truly quirky but effective filming tricks get pulled along the way, giving the film a very unique feel.
Gatsby's grounds and the rooms indoors are opulent and almost fairytale like. The 'fantasies' in Gatsby's mind brought to reality, yet still retaining a feeling of it being 'not quite real' at the same time. Great ambiance throughout.
6) Costuming/Makeup - Total Thumbs Up: Between all the parties at Gatsby's, the more laid back affairs at the Buchanan mansion, and the middle of the road places, each had their own look and feel. The dresses and makeup for the people at Gatsby's weekend parties were amazing, though also easily missed when trying to absorb in the 'over the top' grandeur. Myrtle's dress spoke volumes in her introduction, clueing the audience as to who she was before she ever spoke a word.
Conclusion: "The Great Gatsby" is a grand spectacle of sight and sound. A lot of symbolism and minor themes are woven around a good and solid plot. A poignant peek into the life and attitudes of the 20's.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (Hubby's Rating: Worth Full Price of Admission)
May 8, 2013
Picture Kaleidoscope 5/8/13
Morning!
Solar Flare pics from NASA for 1:32 pm EDT on 5/3/13.
Too cool!
Remains of a Star gone Supernova! Go Hubble!
Cloud 12 at Earthshots.org. Photo by Bjoern Lauen Looks so cool!
[image error]
From Bjoern Lauen's website. Great stuff!
Paradise Cove by Willie Huang at Earthshots'org. Love the progression to the sunset. Even more fabulous stuff at his site~!
Inside the Lab of an Electron Microscope Photographer at PetaPixel. Photos by David Scharf. Tons more insect and arachnid pics at his site. Eek!
Artists Uses Found DNA Data To Generate Photo Realistic Portraits at PetaPixel. Wow, what will they think of next? Work by Heather Dewey-Hagborg.
Have an awesome day!
Solar Flare pics from NASA for 1:32 pm EDT on 5/3/13.
Too cool!
Remains of a Star gone Supernova! Go Hubble!
Cloud 12 at Earthshots.org. Photo by Bjoern Lauen Looks so cool!
[image error]
From Bjoern Lauen's website. Great stuff!
Paradise Cove by Willie Huang at Earthshots'org. Love the progression to the sunset. Even more fabulous stuff at his site~!
Inside the Lab of an Electron Microscope Photographer at PetaPixel. Photos by David Scharf. Tons more insect and arachnid pics at his site. Eek!
Artists Uses Found DNA Data To Generate Photo Realistic Portraits at PetaPixel. Wow, what will they think of next? Work by Heather Dewey-Hagborg.
Have an awesome day!
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